So Michael Jackson has sold the rights to his “Thriller” song and video as a Broadway musical, right? [ed. we just couldn’t muster the enthusiasm to report it the first time]
Yes, but not so fast. Buttoned-up ’80s director John Landis (“The Blues Brothers” “”Gremlins”) who directed the classic, 14-minute video (then the longest and most expensive of its time), is pissed and suing Jackson because he claims the gloved one owes a shit ton of cash in royalties.
In the suit Landis charges Jackson with “fraudulent, malicious and oppressive conduct.”
“Thriller” was again, the most expensive video of its time, costing $500,000, and the Guinness World Records listed it in 2006 as the “most successful music video,” selling over 9 million units which is probably the exact reason why Landis wants Jacko to fork over some cash. Landis not only co-wrote the screenplay and helmed the “Thriller” video, he also directed an hourlong “making of” documentary.
Landis wants 50% and its thought that Jacko owes him around $1 million if the filmmaker wins the suit. Hmm, is Marty Scorsese going to sue over the video for “Bad” next?